Article by
William Tomicki
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The Caribbean island of Grenada beckons us
by Nobel Literature Prize Nominee and former New York Times Travel Columnist William Tomicki
We have fallen under the spell of of the beautiful Caribbean island of Grenada, thanks to spectacular entrepreneur Peter de Savary, the legendary visionary who gave the world the magical St. James’s Clubs, Bovey Castle, and Skibo Castle. It isn’t often that one man can impact the destiny of a country, but Mr. de Savary is well on the way in warm and charming Grenada. This time he’s laid aside his Savile Row suits and Scottish tweeds in favor of white Caribbean linens and espadrilles and set out to transform this lovely little spice island with strong French and British influences into another St. Bart’s—or even better. Grenada is a sailor’s paradise, a place for adventure, a quiet oasis blessed by calm azure waters, soft empty beaches, contented people, and very few tourists.
Grenada is what Barbados was 50 years ago—filled with dramatic natural resources and willing gracious Grenadians. Tourism is a recent phenomenon with only 1500 hotel rooms currently on the island. As we said, few men have the opportunity in their lifetime to help shape a nation, but de Savary is intent on just this. Learning to sail as a child on Grenada, de Savary never lost his love for the island’s green mountains, sub tropical rainforests, plantations, waterfalls, golden sands, and enchanting people. Besides his brilliant vision and driving dynamism, and always being accompanied by his little dog, Louis, and a Montecristo cigar, de Savary—like his countryman Richard Branson—is a man of innovative action.
On Grenada, he has already transformed Mount Cinnamon Hotel into a cool, laid-back, fun, boutique oasis with white-washed villas, stunning ocean views, Savvys, a fine restaurant and bar, and an enchanting staff who happily meet all guests’ demands with a smile. At Cinnamon Hill, there is first class sailing, diving, snorkeling, spa, a divine private beach, and secluded pool. All accommodations at Mount Cinnamon are luxuriously spacious. Suites and villas have airy sitting rooms with kitchen and breakfast bars and breathtaking views from the outdoor living areas. Most of the bedrooms also have large balconies and all provide separate dressing spaces and uniquely styled, adobe-walled shower
rooms. Designed with many thoughtful extras, all accommodation has laundry facilities, hairdryer, BOSE sound system, cable TV, crisp linens, and impressive artwork. Do take a look at the website, www.mountcinnamongrenada.com.
The jewel in Mr. de Savary’s Grenada crown is Port Louis, a $500-million Mediterranean-style marina village with 300 slips for yachts and boats up to 400 feet. Grenada’s location means that unlike most destinations, this is a ‘yearround’ getaway, set outside the seasonal hurricane belt. Its proximity to the Equator ensures a temperate climate in the early 80’s (23-28 degrees C), which, with cooling trade winds, offers very comfortable conditions.
It compares especially well with the more northern Caribbean which can suffer from quite cold and wet weather and is within the hurricane belt. At Port Louis there will be luxurious residential real estate, a health spa, and wellness center. A buzzing bar and restaurant is already the axis of social life on the island.
Port Louis rises dramatically to the south of the charming capital, St. George’s, and is destined to become one of the world’s most charming and important lifestyle developments. Visit www.portlouisgrenada.com for more details on living and investment opportunities there.
Tuscany is so much more than the rolling hills of the Chianti region. Venture north to discover a richly varied and unspoiled area. Here is the perfect location, a simple but grand place from which to explore the less familiar pleasures of northern Tuscany. High above Lucca stands a handsome seventeenth century villa that is first and foremost an unusually well-appointed private family home. Set on an extensive estate, Casa Berti, a villa of rare charm and peacefulness has its own farmhouse and outbuildings including an artist’s studio, a spring-fed swimming pool, terraced gardens, olive orchards, fruit trees and woodland.
The villa itself sleeps ten guests and the cottage, a few steps from the main house, sleeps a further five. Families are very welcome, and children well-provided for. The house, a tranquil retreat, is reached by a track that zigzags up from the village church through olive terraces. The views are exceptional even by Italian standards —farmhouses and villas, fields, vineyards and olive groves, hilltops and valleys unfurl below. Restored with integrity and authenticity, its lofty interior spaces — high ceilings, large and numerous windows and double doors, arcaded entrance and commanding position — mark Casa Berti as a true find.
The ancient thick walls ensure a cool interior even in the height of summer and the décor is relaxed and refined. A terracotta tiled terrace lined with lemon trees in handsome traditional pots leads onto a tree-framed lawn. In summer this becomes an outdoor living and dining room. The panorama begins at the iron table and chairs set out in the sun. Beyond is an airy wisteria-covered pergola with a large travertine topped table and chairs — a shady space for the mid-day, and softly lit for evening dining. A gas grill, unusual in Italian homes, makes outdoor cooking simple.
The swimming pool, fed by its own natural spring water, is set just below the villa on a separate deep terrace. Sheltered but with all-day sunlight, it has sweeping views of valley. A second simpler pergola provides shade. There are handsome pool loungers and furnishings. Above the villa is the farmhouse, restored to the same high standards as the main house, providing sleeping for a further five people.
Separate but close enough to the main house to make a total group of fifteen people, it has its own garden and a wood-burning oven, or forno, which is fully functional. An evening of pizza-making is great fun for all ages. Casa Berti has quantities of superb estate-produced extra virgin olive oil and limoncello as well as a selection of the best local wines for guests to enjoy. Casa Berti is a great place from which to explore Northern Tuscany, but once here you may never want to leave. For more information and bookings visit www.casaberti.com or contact Homebase Abroad, www.homebaseabroad.com